Last



A. GODF REY Sept. 16 1924,

LAST

Filed July 20, 1921 2 sheets-sheet 1 sept. 16 1924, 1,509,038

A. GQDFREY LAST 5 Filed July 2o 1921 2 sheets-'sheet 2 Patented Sept. i6, '5.924.

a l l' l as .eas

i FFICE. f

ALEXANDER GODFREY, OF BAXTER-HILL, MASSACHUSETTS; ANNIE E. GODlR/EYAND ARTHUR C. MUR-PHY, BOTH I-AVERIHILL) MASSACHUSETTS, EXEGUTORS OF SAID ALEXANDER GODFREY, DECASED. I y

LAST.

Applicationk filed July 20,

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, ALEXANDER Gonrnnr.

a citizen of the United States of Americaand a resident of Haverhill7 in the county of Essex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts,

have invented certain new and useful lmprovements in Lasts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to lasts for use in l0 the manufacture of boots and shoes, and more particularly to that classv of lasts con monly known as hinged or collapsible lasts.

Among the objects of this invention is the production of a hinged last, of such construction and arrangement as to enable the manufacturer to use it in all the various operations of shoe manufacture, with the possible exceptions of the beating out and heeling operations. For these two operations it is preferred to use a well known form more stoutly constructed, but of the same size and shape as the one which it replaces,` known as the maker.

It is also an object of this invention to produce a hinged last that may be removed from the shoe at any stage of the manufacture thereof without causing detrimental strains to be exerted upon the shoe when the last is withdrawn therefrom, and which will not in any way distort the upper, after having been carefully lasted and pulled over, during the aforesaid withdrawal.

It is a further object of this invention to produce a hinged last that is simple in structure and arrangement and yet durable; and that is capable of being held in locked po sition when extended and in the shoe and readily unlocked preparatory to removal therefrom.

Unlike the hinged. last at present in use, the herein disclosed last actually shortens when the heel part is moved toward the forepart and does so immediately upon said movement of the heel part, and consequently the entire shoe is relieved of the strains in cident to the lasting operations and the last may be slightly shifted bodily towards the heel and thereafter wholly withdrawn from the shoe, leaving it without having lcaused either strainer distortion thereto.y

This last mentioned feature is not present in the hinged lastsnow in use. lVhile it is true that they shorten eventually upon removal' 'frointhe shoe, they do so at the 1921. Serial' No. 486,214.

wrong time; in fact they lengthen first and in so doing` often times cause the upper at the forepart to split or the heel stitching to part7 (sometimes both) and thereafter they shorten when the damage has beeny done. This is a condition which the present invention has actually overcome and to that end the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrange ment of parts which will be fully understood from a description of the drawings and the claims hereinafter given.

Of the drawings:

IFigure l represents in side elevation al last having the present invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 a view similar to Fig. l with the last partially broken away to expose the fore and heel part connectors and locking mechanism in elevation. i

Figure 3 a section on the line 3-3 Figure 2. f

Figure 4 a section on. the line 4--4 Figure 2.

Figure 5 an enlarged view of the slidable lock plate as seen in'Figure 4.

Figure 6 a section on the line 6-6 Figure 5.

ure 5.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the link-like plates that retain the fore and heel parts in opera-tive position.

Figure 9 a View similar to Figure 2 showing the heel` part as having been moved upwardly and forwardly preparatory to the removal of the last from a shoe.

Figure l0 a view similar to Fig. v9 to show Figure 7 a section on the line 7 7 Fig! how the last may be moved `bodily toward v provided therefor by the removable pins 14,.

are the plates l5 which extend forwardly into a slot 16 in the forepart 11. Slots 17 in the said plates struck on an arc the center of which is not visible in practice but located approximately at 18, are adapted to receive the limiting pin 19 i'vhich is stationary with the torepart 11. The plates 15 are primarily intended to 'form the retaining means for the tore and heel parts and, in conjunction with another simple device 2O.y arcuate in shape tor the maj or portion thereof' and adapted to be held rigidly with relation to the torepart 11 by reason ot' the upward extension 21 abutting' the end wall of slot 16 and the pin 22, they 'torm a simple and effective sliding connection tor he two parts.

The plates 15. one ot wnich is shown in Figi'. 8, are provided with grooves a0, which are concentric with the slots 17, and adapted to receive the device 2O which functions as a track upon which the heel part is guided in its movements, and also as one member ot a locking' means to hold the last in cie tended position.

lt will thus be seen that the plates 15 and device 20 act in conjunction totorm a sliding; connection that is simple in construction, cheap to manufacture and durable.

While the plates 15 are herein shown as two in number, it is obvious that it is possible to construct this portion ot the hinge ot one piece stampe'd out and 'formed to per- 'torm the 'function as at present.

he device 2O is provided with a notch 23 adapted to be entered by a slidable plate 24ttor the purpose ot locking; the two parts in extended position.

The said plate 24 is held in sliding' position by means ot the beveled edges 25 being' overlapped. by the undercut edges 26 ot a plate 27 secured to the heel part 1.2 by ineans ot screws 28.

Pi'voted to the heel part at 29 is a latch member 30 one end oit which 31 extends forwardly through an opening 32 in the plate 2T and engages the upper end ot a small opening; 33 in the plate 2st. Normally the plate 24 is underA the control ot a spring' 34, one end ot which bears against the tongue 35 struck 'trom the plate 24, an elon- `gated slot 36 beine; provided therefor in the plate 27. The latch member 3() has a rearwardly extending portion which terminates in the inclined cam shape portion 37 adapted to be engaged by a hand tool 38 or similar device which may be attached to a machine or last removing device or ack.

The said member 30 is so constructed as to present its cam portion 37 to the path ot the tool 38 which is adapted to enter the hole andA be guided thereby. The entrance ot the said tool into the hole causes it to con-tact with and depress the cam 37 and consequently raises the plate 24 against the action of the spring 34. The cani 37 is so arranged as to be cwung out of tlre path ot the tool 38 at the completion ot the ui.- lockinp; movement ot plate 24: and the tool will be tree to continue its movement to finally seat itself in the hole l5 it de ed.

lt will be understood that the herein disclosed last is intended to be used in the majority ot operations incident to the manu- `tacture ot a complete shoe which includes the treeing operation. lt therefore insures the production ot a finished shoe that retains its original intended shape. tree trom the usual detects and weaknesses caused by strains in remi'iving the last trom the shoe and in general presenting' a much better and durable shoe and entirely eliminating' the great loss caused by the removal oit improperly constructed lasts from the finished shoe.

Viewing' Figurest) and 10 it will be readily seen how the last may be removed trom the shoe, the dotted lines indicating` the shoe outline and the broken lines 51 (sec Fig', 9) indicate the path taken by the heel part in its upward and forward movement.

lt is obvious that the center' ot swine` ot the heel part is so located as to cause a simultaneous upward and forward movement to said heel part. which instantly relieves pressure throughout the shoe.

To 'further reduce strains and insure ease ot removal, the last may be slightly shitted rearwardly in the shoe before the removal thereof it deemed necessary, and as clearly shown in Figure 10 the shoe is entirely relieved ot pressure of the last and may now be removed without distorting' the shoe in the slightest degree.

Yin order to present a smooth surface tothe last and to Vfacilitate in the swing ot the parts thcreot. the two parts are shaped at and at lo conform to the movement given by the connector `Vjuide members 15 and 20. the center ot swing 18 beine; located at ap proximately the junction ot the planes ot the bottom ot the heel part 12 and the rear tace 57 ot the Jforeimit 11. 1t will be understood that the heel. part plane is one that intersects the forward and rear tips et the heel.

It is not the intention to limit this iu ifention to the precise construction and ar-r rangement herein shown as it is obvious that various changes may be made without departing' 'from the spirit and scope oi" the invention. j

Having described the invention l claim:

1. In a last ot the class described, the coinbination ot a two-part last adapted to be hinged, the pivotal center ot which is approximately in a plane with the bottom ot the heel part, ot a hinge comprising a member tast with the 'torepart and a member 'tast with the heel part: `e'uidinn' means in one ot said members adapted to be entered by lll) incassal the other member; means coacting with said heel part member adapted to further aid in the guidance of said member; and means coacting with one of said members to lock the said last in extended position.

2. In a last of the class described, the combination of a two-part last adapted to be hinged, the pivotal center of which is approximately in a plane with the bottom of the heel part, of a hinge comprising an arcuate member fast to said forepart, a twopart member having arcuate grooves therein adapted to receive and be guided by said arcuate member; said two-part member having a slot adapted to receive a pin fast in said forepart whereby said heel part is retained in operative position with said forepart; a locking device coacting with said arcuate member adapted to hold the last in eX- tended position; and means to disengage said locking means at will.

3. In al last of the class described, the combination of a two-part last adapted to be hinged, the pivotal center of which is located approximately in a plane with the bottom of the heel part; of a hinge comprising an arcuate member fast with said forepart; a two-part member fast with said heel part; said two-part member having grooves adapted to receive and be guided by said arcuate member; said two-part member also having a slot concentric with said arcuate member; a pin in said forepart coacting with said slot to retain said fore and heel parts in working engagement; said arcuate member having a notch; a locking plate slidable on said heel part adapted to at times engage said notch; and means to disengage said plate from said notch at will.

4L. In a last. of the class described, the combination of a two-part last adapted to be hinged, the pivotal center ofwhich is located approximately in a plane with the bottom of the said heel part, of a hinge comprising an larcuate member fast with said forepart; a

two-part member fast with said heel part, and with the forepart by a slot and pin connection; said two-partv member having a groove adapted to receive said arcuate member and guide said two-part member thereby; said arcuate member having a notch adapted to engage a slidable locking plate; a slidable locking plate; a plate secured to said heel part and adapted to retain said slidable plate in operative position; means to normally retain said slidable plate in locking position; and means to disengage said locking plate from said notch at will.

5. In a last of the class described, the combination of a two part last adapted to be hinged, of a fore part having a slot therein; a hinge member secured in said slot and projecting therefrom; means to secure said member in said slot; said member having a finger projecting therefrom, adapted to abut the end wall of said slot and thereby prevent pivotal movement'of said member in one direction; a heel part having a slot in which a second hinge member is secured and projects therefrom into the slot of -said fore part; means to retain said member in sliding engagement with said fore part; means forming part of said second member adapted to guide said first member and prevent said slot and adapted to abut the end wall thereof, whereby pivotal movement of said member in one direction is prevented; a second hinge member rigidly secured in a yslot of the heel part and projecting into the slot of said fore part, said second member being so constructed andv arranged as to guide said p first member and prevent pivotal movement. thereof in another direction; means co-acting with said first memberto lock said last in extended position; and means to disengage said locking means at will.

7. In a last of the class described, the coml bination of a two part last adapted to be hinged, the pivotal center of which is approximately in a plane with the bottom of the heel part; of a hinge member adapted to be secured in a slot of said fore part by a pin, said member having a projection confined in said slot and adapted to abut the endl wall thereof, whereby pivotal movement of said member in one direction is prevented;

a second hinge member rigidly secured in a slot of the heel part and projecting into the slot of said fore part, said member being so constructed and arranged as to guide said first member and prevent pivotal movement j thereof in another direction; means toretain said second member in sliding engagement with said fore part, said means includ ing a pin; means co-acting with said first member to lock said last in extended position; and means to disengage said lockingmeans at will.

8. A last adapted to be collapsed, having aligned slots in the abutting surfaces of the fore and heel parts thereof; each part having a member fast thereto adapted to be guided b v the other member in approximately the direction of its length, each member of a part extending into the slot of the vother part; means located in one of the parts whereby one of sa'idmembers is further slidngly guided; and means to lock, said parts in extended position.

9. A lest adapted to be collapsed, having slots in the abutting surfaces of the fore and heel parte respectively; n member lest .in the slot of the heel part; :i member fest in the slot of the lore part; means whereby each @if Seid members guides the other; one olf said members herring slot and pin Connection Vwith one of said parte; locking means een ried by said heel part edeped to coast with the member fest With he Yfore pdrty to poeitively lock seid parte in extended position; and means to unlock said locking means.

l0. ln e last adapted to be collapsed7 heving,` a member feet in the fore part end a Weense member 'feet in he heel part, eeeh member adapted to overlap the other, whereby each will form e bearing for the other during rel- :dive movements therebetween; one of seid members having Slot and pin ConnectionV with one of said parte whereby Seid parte are Sldingly held in operative relationship, Said slot being parallel to the line of lest eeilepeing1 moveineni; and means Coeetii g with one of eafiid members to lock seid parte in er;4 tended position.

Signed by me et Haverhill, llessaehueem, this' 15th vday of July, 1921.

ALEXANDER GVODFE Y, 

